By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Dale St. Arnold, President and CEO of the Catholic Health System (CHS) of Buffalo, will leave soon to head up a five-hospital system (soon to be six) in Phoenix, Arizona. St. Arnold’s resignation is effective June 18.
St. Arnold has accepted the position of Senior Vice President for Western Region Operations with Vanguard Health Systems to head Vanguard’s hospital system in Phoenix, Arizona. Vanguard Health Systems, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, is a new and expanding health care company with hospital operations in 13 hospitals in Arizona, California and Illinois.
"This unique opportunity affords Dale and his wife Judy to fulfill their long-term wish for Dale to finish his health care career in the Southwest," Joseph J. Castiglia, Chairman of the CHS Board of Directors, said.
While a search process is underway for St. Arnold’s successor, Patrick J. (P.J.) Wiles, President and CEO of Kenmore Mercy, St. Joseph and Sisters hospitals, has been appointed Interim President and CEO of the Catholic Health System.
"With P.J. taking over the helm we know that our strategic initiatives will move forward under a strong seasoned leader and the deep strength of our current management team, ensuring continuity in the delivery of health care for the community at the highest level," Castiglia said.
"This was an extremely difficult decision for me,” St. Arnold said. "Buffalo is a community you become endeared to very quickly."
Under St. Arnold’s leadership, CHS has erased financial losses that amounted to $38 million when he arrived in 1998.
"Now four years later, CHS is at near break even, duplication has been removed and efficiencies gained," Castiglia said.